2008 Men's Lacrosse Preseason Newsletter 2007 SEASON PREVIEW

2008 SCHEDULE

2008 SEASON PREVIEW

According to sixth-year head coach Evan Davis, all indications aim to a strong year for the 2008 Clark University men’s lacrosse team. Two years removed from setting a new mark for wins in a season (7), the Cougars return to the turf with 17 letter-winners, a first-rate recruiting class, plus a pair of talented transfers, and a stout defense and healthy attack. Davis can only hope those pieces put together will bring Clark its first-ever winning season.

“Last year, the team started to believe they could win,” said Davis, Clark’s all-time leader in career victories with 22. “I can tell by the way they are working this year; their attitudes have definitely changed.”

This year’s substantial 32-team roster not only brings a wealth of depth, but top-notch talent as well.

“Top to bottom, this is the strongest class we’ve had since I’ve been here,” Davis said. “There’s not one person in our freshman class who can’t contribute to the program and make us better. They’ve made us better just by stepping onto the field.”

For starters, Clark acquires high school All-America Eugene Arsenault to join an already imposing offensive attack. At 6-feet-6-inches and 270-pounds, the South Portland High (Me.) product is expected to make a major impact up front. Arsenault will blend well with Garrett McAdam (32-8-40), Shawn Roche (30-26-56) and co-captain Andrew Webber (43-12-55), the 2007, 2006, and 2005 team leading scorers, respectively. Both Roche and Webber return after injury plagued seasons last spring.

“This will be the first year those three have actually played together,” said Davis. “We should have major production out of them.”

Senior Jon Ponte (10-2-12) will also bring a hard shot to the front-line, while freshman Danny Heelan will add quickness.

The list of both offensive and defensive midfielders is equally as impressive. Junior Matt Fram (16-8-24) leads the group of offensive middies that also includes sophomore J.C. Tsagarakis (10-6-16) and the return of senior midfielder Dan Stern (9-8-17). Rookie Sam McAdam, an All-American midfielder from Portland, Me., will undoubtedly play a significant role. Junior Drew Silverman and sophomores Chris Adams, a unique lefty, and Alex Craven, last year’s coaches award recipient, along with newcomers Hakeem Hindi and Ben Stuart will also be in the mix. Sophomore Scott Wheeler returns as the team’s top face-off man and will see a much larger role in the offense.

Top-recruit Tim Roche and freshman Kevin Schofield will combine for a formidable pair at long-stick midfield, while seniors Andrew Sheen and Nate Sherman and sophomore Jeremy Urquhart, who will also contribute on face-offs, will give the Cougars’ defensive midfield a boost. Freshman walk-on Sam Nevin will also compete for time.

Turning to defense, Davis believes the group will be “game-changers” for the squad. Leading the list of returnees is Dan Rosenak, the Cougars’ career-leader in groundballs (283) and two-year captain. He will be joined by senior Mike Fuchs, sophomore Tim Cole, and junior transfer Jeff Deluca. Sophomores Joe BuAbbud, Taylor Morono, Dave Schuberth, and freshman Nick Boschetti should give the Cougars valuable minutes off the bench.

Junior Tyler Campbell (10.91 GAA, .573 SV%) will be the team’s starting goalie. Newcomer Jon Gendron, an All-State goalie from Hebron Academy (Me.), will back him up.

With a beefed-up schedule that includes a first-time clash with two Pennsylvania schools and a NESCAC squad, not to mention a tough conference slate, the Clark team hopes to keep up with the competition this spring.

“We learned that in order to take the next step, we need to play tougher competition,” said Davis. “We have a young team again this year, but we are solid at every position. I’ll take my 10 starters and put them up against anybody’s top-10.”

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2008 SCHEDULE

Men's Lacrosse Office
Evan Davis, Head Coach, 508-793-7729
Email: rdavis@clarku.edu